An Unexpected Journey: Working the World with Chewing Gum and Duct Tape by Sam (WN5C) For the longest time, I equated low-power radio (QRP) with working portably: the lone operator sitting on a hilltop or in a forest with a small transceiver and a bit of wire. I’ve always relished the strange incongruence of physical solitude while being immersed within the infinitely complex web of electromagnetic energy that binds the universe together.

An Unexpected Journey: Working the World with Chewing Gum and Duct Tape

by Sam (WN5C) For the longest time, I equated low-power radio (QRP) with working portably: the lone operator sitting on a hilltop or in a forest with a small transceiver and a bit of wire. I’ve always relished the strange…

KV4AN: Winter POTA at Tishomingo State Park By Steven Krumm (KV4AN) Tishomingo State Park (US-2552) is a Mississippi State Park in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Mississippi near the small towns of Tishomingo, Iuka, and Booneville.   The park offers picnic areas, camping and cabins, disc golf course, compass course, hiking trails, playgrounds, multi-use field, volleyball court, swimming pool, rock climbing, and fishing.  The park is known for scenic massive boulders and rock formations and also the famous Swinging Bridge.

KV4AN: Winter POTA at Tishomingo State Park

By Steven Krumm (KV4AN) Tishomingo State Park (US-2552) is a Mississippi State Park in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Mississippi near the small towns of Tishomingo, Iuka, and Booneville.   The park offers picnic areas, camping…

Packing My EDC Haversack: A Quick KH1/AX3 POTA Activation at William B. Umstead State Park by Thomas (K4SWL) On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, I left the condo around midday with my daughters and dropped them off at NC State University, where they planned to spend the latter part of the morning together and grab lunch. Being who I am, I immediately saw an opportunity to fit in a little radio time. After running a couple of errands, I made my way to nearby William B.

Packing My EDC Haversack: A Quick KH1/AX3 POTA Activation at William B. Umstead State Park

by Thomas (K4SWL) On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, I left the condo around midday with my daughters and dropped them off at NC State University, where they planned to spend the latter part of the morning…

The Hidden Woodsmen Stash Pack Sale: An Amazing Deal on a Handmade Waist Pack If you’ve been curious about The Hidden Woodsmen gear, now might be the perfect time to try one of their packs. Their Hidden Woodsmen Stash Pack is currently on sale for $20 US (roughly $35 with shipping), which is an incredible price--a steal--for a handmade, USA-made item of this quality. From what I understand, they’re simply selling down existing inventory, so the sale likely lasts only while supplies last.

The Hidden Woodsmen Stash Pack Sale: An Amazing Deal on a Handmade Waist Pack

If you’ve been curious about The Hidden Woodsmen gear, now might be the perfect time to try one of their packs. Their Hidden Woodsmen Stash Pack is currently on sale for $20 US (roughly $35 with shipping), which is an…

Elecraft K1 LCD Backlight Kits Available From Dave W8FGU! by Bob (WO6W) Hi folks, I've just retrofit a backlight for my Elecraft K1 serial 355 LCD display. While the LCD backlight retrofit kit is long out of stock from Elecraft, Dave (W8FGU) was able to provide a kit using a K2 backlight cut down to K1 size. Dave was also able to source the K1 transflective LCD and remaining parts needed.

Elecraft K1 LCD Backlight Kits Available From Dave W8FGU!

by Bob (WO6W) Hi folks, I've just retrofit a backlight for my Elecraft K1 serial 355 LCD display. While the LCD backlight retrofit kit is long out of stock from Elecraft, Dave (W8FGU) was able to provide a kit using a K2 backlight cut down…

W8TMI: POTA and SOTA Adventures in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by Tim Johnson (W8TMI) It doesn’t take much to convince me to cross the Mackinac Bridge from Michigan's Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula. In this case, my wife had a work conference in beautiful Marquette, which is nestled on the southern coast of Lake Superior. The area is known for iron mining and still serves as a port for iron ore shipping on the Great Lakes.

W8TMI: POTA and SOTA Adventures in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

by Tim Johnson (W8TMI) It doesn’t take much to convince me to cross the Mackinac Bridge from Michigan's Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula. In this case, my wife had a work conference in beautiful Marquette, which is nestled on the…

It’s Time for a Field Kit Inspection! by Thomas (K4SWL) For many of us here in North America, it’s been a pretty brutal winter--bitter cold temperatures, snow, ice, and all the things that tend to keep us from hitting the field as often as we’d like. I know quite a few operators who simply put their radios back in their field kits for the season and shift their focus indoors--building kits, homebrewing, and enjoying the sweet smell of solder smoke.

It’s Time for a Field Kit Inspection!

by Thomas (K4SWL) For many of us here in North America, it’s been a pretty brutal winter--bitter cold temperatures, snow, ice, and all the things that tend to keep us from hitting the field as often as we’d like. I know quite a few operators who simply put…

W8TMI: SOTA & POTA in the Bay Area with the Travel-Friendly Elecraft KH1 by Tim (W8TMI) I have been meaning to get to this write up for some time. Around Christmas 2024, my wife declared we would visit our friends in Hayward, CA, sometime in spring 2025. Our friends indicated that we should come in April to hopefully avoid the rainy season. This got my gears turning. I wanted to find a SOTA/POTA combo, but I was also inspired by Micah (N4MJL), who activated Presidio and provided the…

W8TMI: SOTA & POTA in the Bay Area with the Travel-Friendly Elecraft KH1

by Tim (W8TMI) I have been meaning to get to this write up for some time. Around Christmas 2024, my wife declared we would visit our friends in Hayward, CA, sometime in spring 2025. Our friends indicated that we should come…

A New Year’s Day Comedy of Errors POTA Activation on the Blue Ridge Parkway by Thomas (K4SWL) Let’s do a little time travel back to New Year’s Day. I’m a bit behind in posting this field report because of an audio issue, but in a way that feels fitting. This activation turned into what I can only describe as a full-blown comedy of errors--and I’m actually glad it did. From time to time, people will comment that my activations seem to go smoothly and ask whether I ever have problems in the field.

A New Year’s Day Comedy of Errors POTA Activation on the Blue Ridge Parkway

by Thomas (K4SWL) Let’s do a little time travel back to New Year’s Day. I’m a bit behind in posting this field report because of an audio issue, but in a way that feels fitting. This activation turned into what I can only…

N7CQR: Winter POTA Roving the Washington Coast and Puget Sound Many thanks to Dan (N7CQR) who shares the following field report: Washington POTA Rove by Dan (N7CQR) After Thanksgiving this last year (2025), I found myself with a chunk of free time for a little over a week. My wife was traveling, and I didn’t have any gigs in the immediate future—I’m a semi-retired professional jazz bassist, and for many years I was always booked solid through the holidays, including NYE.

N7CQR: Winter POTA Roving the Washington Coast and Puget Sound

Many thanks to Dan (N7CQR) who shares the following field report: Washington POTA Rove by Dan (N7CQR) After Thanksgiving this last year (2025), I found myself with a chunk of free time for a little over a week. My wife was traveling,…

BG2FX is Designing a Compact 50 Watt HF Field Radio Our friend John (AE5X) recently noted on his excellent blog that Yu (BG2FX) is developing a new HF radio based in part on the FX4CR. The new radio will have a slimmer profile and deliver up to 50 watts of SSB power output. This radio is still in the design phase, but if it sounds interesting to you, I strongly encourage you to subscribe to John's blog…

BG2FX is Designing a Compact 50 Watt HF Field Radio

Our friend John (AE5X) recently noted on his excellent blog that Yu (BG2FX) is developing a new HF radio based in part on the FX4CR. The new radio will have a slimmer profile and deliver up to 50 watts of SSB power output. This radio is still in…

KM4CFT’s New Elecraft KX1 Paddle Kit If you own an Elecraft KX1 and either missed out on the original Elecraft paddles—or you’re simply looking for a solid alternative to the stock KXPD1—Jonathan (KM4CFT) has come up with a solution. He’s just introduced a new KX1 Iambic Paddle Kit designed specifically for the Elecraft KX1. It’s a compact, purpose-built option that attaches directly to the KX1. Here are a few photos: The kit is available now from HamGadgets for $49.95.

KM4CFT’s New Elecraft KX1 Paddle Kit

If you own an Elecraft KX1 and either missed out on the original Elecraft paddles—or you’re simply looking for a solid alternative to the stock KXPD1—Jonathan (KM4CFT) has come up with a solution. He’s just introduced a new KX1 Iambic Paddle Kit designed…

KB2PIZ: Activating Jamaica Bay Wildlife State Wildlife Area (US-8082) by Mark (KB2PIZ) The day started out as a normal, busy day with housework. Nothing special until my wife said she was meeting some friends at 1300 and wanted to go straight to her evening class afterwards. She wanted to know if I had a problem! Not at all! I had to be on Long Island at 1830, and it looked like I would have all afternoon to myself!

KB2PIZ: Activating Jamaica Bay Wildlife State Wildlife Area (US-8082)

by Mark (KB2PIZ) The day started out as a normal, busy day with housework. Nothing special until my wife said she was meeting some friends at 1300 and wanted to go straight to her evening class afterwards. She wanted to know if…

Philip’s 2026 Field Radio Survey from the Facebook POTA group Many thanks to Philip (KA4KOE) who writes:  Tom As you recall, I held a survey on the official Facebook POTA group and the results were shared via QRPer.com on 7 May 2023. The following survey was completed yesterday (February 17, 2026). It ran for 6 days in the same POTA Facebook Group (with 32,600+ members) and garnered 1,181 votes.

Philip’s 2026 Field Radio Survey from the Facebook POTA group

Many thanks to Philip (KA4KOE) who writes:  Tom As you recall, I held a survey on the official Facebook POTA group and the results were shared via QRPer.com on 7 May 2023. The following survey was completed yesterday (February 17,…

The Perfect Afternoon: Coffee, CW, and 0.1 Watts at William B. Umstead State Park by Thomas (K4SWL) On Friday, January 16, 2026, after a morning of running errands around Raleigh, my wife and I grabbed lunch at the condo. As we were wrapping up, I glanced outside—cold and breezy, but sunny—and thought, "This is a perfect afternoon to activate a park." (In truth, pretty much anytime is the perfect time to activate!) I was in the mood to send some dits and dahs.

The Perfect Afternoon: Coffee, CW, and 0.1 Watts at William B. Umstead State Park

by Thomas (K4SWL) On Friday, January 16, 2026, after a morning of running errands around Raleigh, my wife and I grabbed lunch at the condo. As we were wrapping up, I glanced outside—cold and breezy, but sunny—and…

Elecraft KH1 3D-Printed Protective Caps by PD5GL Many thanks to Gos (PD5GL), who shares the following: Hi Thomas, For my upcoming PCT hike I want to have more to do on the trail, so I’ll be activating some SOTAs along the way. For that I purchased the KH1 and a Pelican case. The case is great, but it’s quite heavy and I really need to watch every gram in my pack.

Elecraft KH1 3D-Printed Protective Caps by PD5GL

Many thanks to Gos (PD5GL), who shares the following: Hi Thomas, For my upcoming PCT hike I want to have more to do on the trail, so I’ll be activating some SOTAs along the way. For that I purchased the KH1 and a Pelican case. The case is great, but…

Field Radio Kit Extras: What Do You Pack? This morning, I was repacking my main field radio backpack and taking a close look at what I carry. As I was doing that, I added something new to my main field pack: three bandpass filters — one each for 40m, 30m, and 20m. I purchased these from Dan (K9DP). Honestly, this is not something I would have considered carrying for most of the years I’ve been doing field radio.

Field Radio Kit Extras: What Do You Pack?

This morning, I was repacking my main field radio backpack and taking a close look at what I carry. As I was doing that, I added something new to my main field pack: three bandpass filters — one each for 40m, 30m, and 20m. I purchased these from Dan…

EI3LH: The Long Road to an Elecraft KH1 — Ian’s First Field Tests & Impressions Many thanks to Ian (EI3LH), who shares the following post, originally posted on his blog: New year, new radio. Taking the Elecraft KH1 for a test drive. by Ian (EI3LH) Radios are, in my opinion, more often than not, somewhat bland aesthetic affairs. Usually, lumps of various shades of black/grey/insertboringcolourschemeasapplicable and fairly tedious to behold. The Elecraft KH1 fits that bill, yet it isn’t the aesthetics that made it so attractive to me.

EI3LH: The Long Road to an Elecraft KH1 — Ian’s First Field Tests & Impressions

Many thanks to Ian (EI3LH), who shares the following post, originally posted on his blog: New year, new radio. Taking the Elecraft KH1 for a test drive. by Ian (EI3LH) Radios are, in my opinion, more often than not,…

Checking Off a Bucket-List Park: Pedestrian Mobile at the North Carolina State Capitol! by Thomas (K4SWL) On Thursday, January 15, 2026, I finally set aside time to activate a park that had been on my bucket list for a very long time: the North Carolina State Capitol State Historic Site (US-6852). Living in North Carolina, this one has always felt like a must-do activation. After all, it’s the state capitol, right in the heart of downtown Raleigh--about as iconic as it gets for a state historic site.

Checking Off a Bucket-List Park: Pedestrian Mobile at the North Carolina State Capitol!

by Thomas (K4SWL) On Thursday, January 15, 2026, I finally set aside time to activate a park that had been on my bucket list for a very long time: the North Carolina State Capitol State Historic Site (US-6852).…

KB2PIZ: Pairing the SGC 2020 and CHA LEFS 4010 at Fort Boggy State Park by Mark (KB2PIZ) After the snowstorm on the 26th of January, my work took me up the road to College Station, Texas and then to Dallas, Texas for one day. Looking at the map, I saw that if I headed west from College Station, I would pick up Route 45 and head north to Dallas. Right off 45 was Fort Boggy State Park (US-3009).

KB2PIZ: Pairing the SGC 2020 and CHA LEFS 4010 at Fort Boggy State Park

by Mark (KB2PIZ) After the snowstorm on the 26th of January, my work took me up the road to College Station, Texas and then to Dallas, Texas for one day. Looking at the map, I saw that if I headed west from College Station, I…

Two Marks POTA at W. Goodrich Jones State Park! by Mark (KB2PIZ) Every year, when I go to Houston for a conference, I manage to squeeze in an amazing eyeball QSO with Mark Tyler (K5GQ). Mark is my CWOPS Instructor and mentor, instrumental in bringing my CW skills up to speed. We had originally planned to meet on Sunday, but a major blizzard was headed towards Houston, and we decided to activate W.

Two Marks POTA at W. Goodrich Jones State Park!

by Mark (KB2PIZ) Every year, when I go to Houston for a conference, I manage to squeeze in an amazing eyeball QSO with Mark Tyler (K5GQ). Mark is my CWOPS Instructor and mentor, instrumental in bringing my CW skills up to speed. We had originally…

Heavy 40 Meter Morning Pileups from a Quiet North Carolina State Forest by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday morning, January 14, I decided to squeeze in another Parks on the Air activation while spending a few days in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. This time, I set my sights on Clemmons Educational State Forest (US-4853), which is about a 25-minute drive from where we usually stay when we’re in Raleigh. I brought along my new…

Heavy 40 Meter Morning Pileups from a Quiet North Carolina State Forest

by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday morning, January 14, I decided to squeeze in another Parks on the Air activation while spending a few days in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. This time, I set my sights on Clemmons…

Alan’s Elecraft KX2 Field Kit in a Hidden Woodsmen Haversack My friend Alan (W2AEW) has just posted a video of his new Elecraft KX2 field kit built into a Hidden Woodsmen Haversack M55: Click here to view on YouTube. I love your field kit, Alan! I especially appreciate the number of antenna options you’ve managed to pack into what is still a very compact setup. It’s also great to see that the main pouch can house your iPad for logging. Thanks for the shout-out, too — especially the “I have to thank/blame Thomas!” 😂

Alan’s Elecraft KX2 Field Kit in a Hidden Woodsmen Haversack

My friend Alan (W2AEW) has just posted a video of his new Elecraft KX2 field kit built into a Hidden Woodsmen Haversack M55: Click here to view on YouTube. I love your field kit, Alan! I especially appreciate the number of antenna…

W7MDN: Trail-Running SOTA with the LNR Mountain Topper MTR-3B by Matt (W7MDN) The Perfect Combination When my work schedule allows, I try to marry up trail running with a SOTA activation, which adds to the adventure aspect of Summits on the Air. I’ve been tweaking my ultralight SOTA kit recently, with the goal of reducing weight and space to just the essentials needed for a quick activation that can be done during a run.

W7MDN: Trail-Running SOTA with the LNR Mountain Topper MTR-3B

by Matt (W7MDN) The Perfect Combination When my work schedule allows, I try to marry up trail running with a SOTA activation, which adds to the adventure aspect of Summits on the Air. I’ve been tweaking my ultralight SOTA kit recently,…

Pairing the KX2 & AX1 for a Quickie Activation at Falls Lake State Recreational Area by Thomas (K4SWL) On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, I was in Raleigh, North Carolina for the week, trying to fit in as many Parks on the Air activations as possible while my wife and I ran errands and worked through a handful of projects around town. That afternoon, we found ourselves in North Raleigh, and my wife wanted to stop by a (large) thrift store in the area.

Pairing the KX2 & AX1 for a Quickie Activation at Falls Lake State Recreational Area

by Thomas (K4SWL) On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, I was in Raleigh, North Carolina for the week, trying to fit in as many Parks on the Air activations as possible while my wife and I ran errands and worked through a…

Trying to Choose Between the Elecraft KH1 or Elecraft KX2? Here Are Some Questions You Should Ask Yourself. By Thomas (K4SWL) One of the question I’m asked often by readers—especially those looking for a highly capable, do-it-all field radio—is this: “Which radio should I buy: the Elecraft KH1 or the Elecraft KX2?” I’ve talked about this briefly in some of my activation videos over the years, but usually in passing and often while I’m in the middle of an activation.

Trying to Choose Between the Elecraft KH1 or Elecraft KX2? Here Are Some Questions You Should Ask Yourself.

By Thomas (K4SWL) One of the question I’m asked often by readers—especially those looking for a highly capable, do-it-all field radio—is this: “Which radio should I buy: the Elecraft KH1 or…

Tested: “The Surprising Flaws in 18650 Lithium-Ion Batteries” Many thanks to Scott (VA3EKR) for sharing this recent episode of Adam Savage's Tested, where he and his guests (Alex Hao and Andreas Bastian of Lumafield) take a close look at CT scans of 18650 lithium batteries, uncovering battery manufacturing defects and quality control inconsistencies: Click here to view on YouTube.

Tested: “The Surprising Flaws in 18650 Lithium-Ion Batteries”

Many thanks to Scott (VA3EKR) for sharing this recent episode of Adam Savage's Tested, where he and his guests (Alex Hao and Andreas Bastian of Lumafield) take a close look at CT scans of 18650 lithium batteries, uncovering battery…

KB2PIZ: Greenhalgh Trail BLM — A Lightly Activated POTA Site by Mark (KB2PIZ) After finishing one of the most amazing, serendipitous activations in Jerome State Historical Park, our journey had us heading up 89A towards Kanab, Utah. Looking at the map, five minutes from where I was going to work was the Greenhalgh Trail BLM Recreation Area (US-5986). Not only was this a POTA spot, but it had only been activated nine times!

KB2PIZ: Greenhalgh Trail BLM — A Lightly Activated POTA Site

by Mark (KB2PIZ) After finishing one of the most amazing, serendipitous activations in Jerome State Historical Park, our journey had us heading up 89A towards Kanab, Utah. Looking at the map, five minutes from where I was going to work…

Hidden Woodsmen Haversack: First POTA test of my new FT-818 field kit by Thomas (K4SWL) Earlier this month, my wife and I dropped our daughters off at their universities to start their spring terms, then decided to spend a week in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. While we did have a few projects to tackle during the week, it also opened the door to quite a few Parks on the Air activations.

Hidden Woodsmen Haversack: First POTA test of my new FT-818 field kit

by Thomas (K4SWL) Earlier this month, my wife and I dropped our daughters off at their universities to start their spring terms, then decided to spend a week in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. While we did have a few…

KI5OEB: Two POTA Activations with the Xiegu G90 by James (KI5OEB) It has been a few months since I have written about my adventures. I acquired a Xiegu G90 from my friend, Steve, KM9G, AKA Temporarily Offline from YouTube. It was a bargain, and for years I had recommended people purchase one if they wanted a sub-$500 transceiver. I know that referring to a radio I’ve never used and have only seen work once isn’t best practice.

KI5OEB: Two POTA Activations with the Xiegu G90

by James (KI5OEB) It has been a few months since I have written about my adventures. I acquired a Xiegu G90 from my friend, Steve, KM9G, AKA Temporarily Offline from YouTube. It was a bargain, and for years I had recommended people purchase one if…